Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 13

The purpose of Christ in giving himself for us is that he may purchase for himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves.

Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with humble things here. Those who cannot be so, would not be content though God raised their condition. Adam was in paradise, yet not content; some angels in heaven were not content; but the apostle Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any state, to be content. Christians have reason to be content with their present lot.

This promise contains the sum and substance of all the promises: I will never, no, never leave thee, no, never forsake thee. In the original, there are no fewer than five negatives put together to confirm the promise: the true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him, in life, at death, and forever. People can do nothing against God, and God can make all that people do against his people turn to their good.

The instructions and examples of ministers who honorably and comfortably concluded their testimony should be particularly remembered by survivors. And though some of their ministers were dead and others dying, yet the great Head and High Priest of the church, the Bishop of their souls, always lives and is always the same. Christ is the same in the Old Testament day as in the gospel day, and will be so to his people forever, equally merciful, powerful, and all-sufficient. Still he fills the hungry, encourages the trembling, and welcomes repenting sinners; still he rejects the proud and self-righteous, abhors mere profession, and teaches all whom he saves to love righteousness and to hate iniquity.

Believers should seek to have their hearts established by the Holy Spirit in simple dependence on free grace, which would comfort their hearts and make them proof against delusion. Christ is both our Altar and our Sacrifice; he sanctifies the gift. The Lord's supper is the feast of the gospel passover. Having shown that adhering to the Levitical law would, according to its own rules, keep people from the Christian altar, the apostle adds, Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp; go forth from the ceremonial law, from sin, from the world, and from ourselves.

Living by faith in Christ, set apart to God through his blood, let us willingly separate from this evil world. Sin, sinners, and death will not permit us to continue long here; therefore, let us go forth now by faith and seek in Christ the rest and peace which this world cannot afford us. Let us bring our sacrifices to this altar, and to this our High Priest, and offer them up by him. The sacrifice of praise to God, we should offer always.

In this are worship and prayer, as well as thanksgiving.

We must, according to our power, give to the necessities of the souls and bodies of men: God will accept these offerings with pleasure, and will accept and bless the offerers through Christ. The apostle then states what is their duty to living ministers: to obey and submit to them, so far as is agreeable to the mind and will of God, made known in his word. Christians must not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn.

The people must search the Scriptures, and so far as the ministers teach according to that rule, they ought to receive their instructions as the word of God, which works in those who believe. It is in the interest of hearers that the account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with grief. Faithful ministers deliver their own souls, but the ruin of a fruitless and faithless people will be upon their own heads.

The more earnestly the people pray for their ministers, the more benefit they may expect from their ministry. A good conscience is mindful of all God's commands and all our duty. Those who have this good conscience still need the prayers of others. When ministers come to a people who pray for them, they come with greater satisfaction to themselves and success to the people.

We should seek all our mercies by prayer. God is the God of peace, fully reconciled to believers; who has made a way for peace and reconciliation between himself and sinners, and who loves peace on earth, especially in his churches. He is the Author of spiritual peace in the hearts and consciences of his people. How firm a covenant is that which has its foundation in the blood of the Son of God!

The perfecting of the saints in every good work is the great thing desired by them and for them; and also that they may eventually be fitted for the service and happiness of heaven. No good thing is accomplished in us unless it is the work of God. And no good thing is accomplished in us by God except through Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit.

So bad are men, and even believers, because of the remnants of their corruption, that when the most important, comforting doctrine is delivered to them for their own good, and with the most convincing evidence, there is a need for earnest entreaty and exhortation that they would bear it, and not turn against it, neglect it, or reject it.

It is good to have the law of holy love and kindness written in the hearts of Christians, toward one another. Religion teaches people true civility and good manners. It is not ill-tempered or uncourteous. Let the favour of God be toward you, and his grace continually working in you, and with you, bringing forth the fruits of holiness, as the first-fruits of glory.